2025 Science Without Borders® Challenge Finalists: 15-19 year old students
The response to our 2025 Science Without Borders® Challenge has been overwhelming! We’ve been blown away by the sheer number of submissions we received from aspiring young scientists and artists worldwide. These gifted students come from all over the globe, including The Bahamas, Canada, China, Greece, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, and the United States. Their artwork brings the 2025 theme, “Marine Keystone Species,” to life in extraordinary ways. From intricate illustrations of krill and coral to impactful portrayals of sharks, sea otters, polar bears, mangroves, and more, each piece highlights the essential roles these species play in maintaining ocean balance and biodiversity.
Entries to the Science Without Borders® Challenge are judged in two categories based on age. Here are the finalists selected from the older group of applicants, students 15-19 years old:
"Tiny Giants of the Sea" by Vivian Wu, Age 17, Canada
ARTIST'S STATEMENT: This artwork highlights krill as a keystone species, forming the foundation of marine ecosystems. The krill swarm takes the shape of a keyhole, symbolizing its essential role in sustaining life beneath the ocean’s surface. Despite their tiny size, krill support many species, including humpback whales, squid, and fish, while also playing a vital role in carbon cycling. Their bright, glowing pink hues contrast against the deep blues of the ocean, drawing attention to their significance. In addition, the fishing net in the corner symbolizes human activity's harm to their population. Beyond overfishing, krill also face threats from ocean warming and acidification. Overall, this piece emphasizes the vital role of krill in marine ecosystems and urges awareness of human impact on their populations.